12 Dec PRESS RELEASE: Feature Exhibition UNCEDED: S7ULH TEMÍXW / TI TMICWKÁLHA / OUR LAND opens December 21, 2022
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Feature Exhibition UNCEDED: S7ULH TEMÍXW / TI TMICWKÁLHA / OUR LAND – A Photographic Journey into Belonging opens December 21, 2022 at the Squamish Lil’wat Cultural Centre in Whistler, B.C.
December 12, 2022, Skw̲xw̲ú7mesh / Líl̓wat7úl (Whistler, BC) – The Squamish Lil’wat Cultural Centre invites guests to experience its latest exhibition – UNCEDED: S7ULH TEMÍXW / TI TMICWKÁLHA / OUR LAND – A Photographic Journey into Belonging opening December 21, 2022 on the winter solstice.
Set in breathtaking places throughout the Sea to Sky, from K’emk’emeláy (Vancouver) to Ts’zil (Mount Currie), the UNCEDED exhibit asks the audience to look at the world through a different lens, on the territory of the Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Úxwumixw (Squamish Nation) and Líl̓wat7úl (Lil’wat Nation). Marrying regalia, elders, youth, and chieftainship with the modern world around us, UNCEDED challenges audiences to reshape how we view our presence here, bringing a sense of belonging to the Indigenous people celebrated in the exhibit.
Curated by Mixalhítsa7 Alison Pascal (Lil’wat Nation) and Tsawaysia Dominique Nahanee (Squamish Nation) – the exhibit was a research project that deserved to be seen with the eyes and felt with the heart. “As urban cities, farmland, towns, and recreation parks build up around us, our Ancestors are still here, in the hearts and minds of the people of this land”, says Mixalhítsa7. “I wanted this exhibit to reflect two things: a reminder of our presence here since time immemorial, and a journey towards understanding that for Indigenous People, the land doesn’t belong to us, we belong to the land. We have a responsibility to care for it and all the living beings we share it with, to ensure a future for our children.”
UNCEDED: S7ULH TEMÍXW / TI TMICWKÁLHA / OUR LAND is expected to stir an array of feelings for the viewer, including a common fear that words like “Unceded” and “our land” are always about rights and title. “When we use, ‘Our Land’ in this exhibit, we are bringing forward our stewardship of the land, our belonging to it, our economic opportunities and cultural connection to the land, and our history living and thriving on it.” says Mixalhítsa7.
Subtitled “A Photographic Journey into Belonging”, the exhibit explores the juxtaposition that development and colonization have created with the ancient traditions and modern life of Indigenous peoples. “While pop culture, fashion trends and global connection are influencing how people move through society, Indigenous peoples residing on and off reserve are living deeply in their culture, engaged socially and politically with the world around them, reviving ancient traditions, re-enforcing a stewardship that guided their climate and lands safely through the first 50 thousand years before contact.” says Heather Paul, SLCC Executive Director.
The UNCEDED exhibition features environmental portraiture of Nation members on the territories of the Sk̲wx̲wú7mesh Úxwumixw, the Lil’wat7ul, and where their shared territories meet in Whistler, BC. Connecting Nation members to their territory, the exhibition is an educational experience sharing meaningful stories that celebrate the people, their history and evolution of their connection to the land. Environmental portrait photography is gratefully provided by Logan Swayze Photography.
The SLCC gratefully acknowledge the title sponsor the Fairmont Chateau Whistler and financial support of Indigenous Tourism British Columbia, Tourism Cares and The Resort Municipality of Whistler.
The Squamish Lil’wat Cultural Centre invites guests to view the UNCEDED Exhibition in Gallery 3 of the Museum, opening on December 21, 2022, and running until May 21, 2023.
Media, Nation Members, SLCC Members and public are invited to join Cultural Ambassadors on the winter solstice at the Squamish Lil’wat Cultural Centre in Whistler:
December 21st, 2022:
2 pm – 5 pm: Official Opening of the UNCEDED Exhibition
5:30 pm – 9 pm: Spo7ez Winter Feast (Advance purchase at slcc.ca/feast)
To learn more visit: slcc.ca/unceded/
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